Rated by Chinese Restaurant News as one of the “Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in America,” the newest and 10th location of one of the nation’s foremost Chinese eateries just opened in Aurora, Illinois.

Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin and city officials joined a team of Chinese luminaries for the grand opening of Lao Sze Chuan Chinese restaurant and bar at 4309 E. New York St. in Pacifica Square.

Pacifica Square, the former Yorkshire Plaza at the intersection of New York Street and IL Route 59, is presently under construction of its first phase.

The development will be the largest Asian-themed shopping and lifestyle center in the country. Lao Sze Chuan will be an anchor restaurant in Pacifica Square.

“Lao Sze Chuan will not only be integral to the success of Pacifica Square, but also to the growing restaurant scene throughout Aurora,” Irvin said.

The first Lao Sze Chuan restaurant opened in 1998 in Chicago’s Chinatown and has since become one of the most beloved Chinese restaurants nationwide. The brainchild of Chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan prides itself on providing traditional Sichuan cuisine with high-quality ingredients.

“Since our humble beginnings, our mission to offer, elevate, and promote gourmet authentic Chinese cuisine and provide exceptional customer service has never wavered,” said Hu who was has been heralded as one of the premier Chinese restaurateurs in the country and twice named “one of the 100 most powerful Chicagoans” by Chicago Magazine.

Lao Sze Chuan is not only recognized locally as the Best Chinese Restaurant in Chicago by multiple mainstream food columns but has also received numerous national accolades including “The Best Chinese Restaurant,” “The Most Authentic Chinese Food,” and one of the “Top Ten Chinese Restaurants in the U.S.”

In addition to its tenth location in Aurora, Lao Sze Chuan has three locations in Chicago and others in Downers Grove, Skokie, Evanston and Champaign; Minneapolis, Minnesota and Milford Connecticut. New locations will open soon in Highland Park, Schaumburg and another in Chicago.

“It’s absolutely the best Chinese food in the country, “said China Star News. “It is just like our hometown food, but even better.”